Pet Education

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Puppies That Nip and Bite   

You are most likely visiting this link because your puppy keeps biting on your hands and it hurts!  They have sharp teeth!  You want them to stop!  Right?

The very first thing you need to do is analyze the problem more closely.   Ask yourself these very important questions:   

#1.  Is the puppy biting on my hands as a playful gesture?  

#2.  Is the puppy trying to grab my hands and use them as a chew toy?  

#3.  Is my puppy nipping on my hands when I am try to cuddle him?   

#4.  Does my puppy jump up and grab my hands in their mouth every time I walk into the room?  

#5.  Does my puppy display vicious and aggressive behavior when he bites me?  Is is a "ferocious" attack on me?  

Now that you asked yourself those questions, lets find a solution.  If numbers 1-4 apply to your situation the first thing you need to realize is that this is normal puppy behavior.   Puppies use their mouths to communicate with each other in a pack situation.   Even older dogs use their mouths to communicate with each other.  Dogs do not have words, so they use barks and body language.  They will sit next to each other and lick ears, nibble on each other's neck, etc.   

Bottom line:  Playful Nipping of Hands = Puppy Communication.  

Normal, Normal, Normal Dog Behavior!  

Does this mean that nipping on hands should be allowed?   No.  This behavior can be trained out of your dog.  

The first thing you need to do is always carry a dog chew in your pocket at all times.  Every time your puppy tries to grab your hands in their mouth, pull back, remove your hands, say no...Then place a dog chew in their mouth.  Once the puppy's mouth is occupied, then reach down and pet your puppy.   

I find Tibetan Terriers to be very oral communicators.  They become so excited when you walk into a room, they want to grab your hand in their mouth as an attempt to "connect" with you.   It is a display of puppy affection.   It is the dog version of holding your hand.   

My best advise...Do not punish them for showing affection.  Train them to display the affection differently.  Immediately place a dog chew or toy in their mouth....Then bend over and rub them affectionately while their mouths are busy with the toy.  You can also pull your hands back, and even turn your back on them when they try to grab your hands.   Turning your back on your dog is opposite of what they want.  It can be an affective training tool.

There are many other methods you can use, but the most important thing to remember is that this is not a sign of aggression from your puppy.  This is a display of puppy affection.  Do you have to like it?  Of course not.  It hurts!   Train them to show affection differently.  

If you answered YES to #5.  Then aggressive biting is a completely different issue.  It is highly unlikely that your new puppy will display true aggression in this way.  Most nipping is not a sign of aggression.  It is a display of affection.   I will talk more about dealing with true aggression later.  For now, my best advise is to use love, love, gentle love.  Socialize them with as much kindness as you can.   Take an alpha role.  But use love.  Install trust with your dog.  They more they trust you, the less aggressive they will become.  

Aggression is a FEAR reaction.  Exactly the same with people.  Remove the fear, the aggression often goes away.